Feasibility of tall fescue, cocksfoot and reed canary grass for anaerobic digestion: Analysis of productivity and energy potential

• Perennial grasses suitable to nemoral zone were analysed.
• Evaluated the cultivation influence on biomass composition, biogas yield and energy potential.
• The biomass energy potential depends on the maturity stage of the first cut and the year of usage.
• Evaluated grasses, especially tall fescue, are promising for biogas in northern climate zone.

Grass biomass is a suitable feedstock for biogas production; however, this type of biomass in countries with a colder climate is too low. More research findings on the species of grasses and growing technologies will likely reveal the compatibility and interactions in an effort to ensure the required high-quality yield and the greatest potential for energy over the years to contribute to the development of biomass use. This study presents the results of experiments conducted on Endocalcari-Epihypogleyic Cambisol (CMg-p-wcan) to evaluate the biomass yield, quality and bioenergy potential of perennial grasses. Three perennial grasses—tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.), cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata L.) and reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea L.)—were selected for biogas production. Different growing technologies were used to evaluate the influence of fertilisation (N90 and N180) and the cutting frequency (two and three cuts per growing season) on the biomass productivity and energy potential. The results of a two-year experiment suggest that the biomass yield and energy potential depend on grass species and growing technology. The highest biomass yield and energy potential was achieved for tall fescue harvested twice per season and for the first time at the flowering stage.